CANTON -- The Canton Farmer’s Market plans to open the 2020 season on Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be in operation until the end of October.

Although this year will be different from years past due to Covid-19, the hope is everyone can find access to the produce, vegetables and food made in this area.

Following NYS Ag & Markets guidelines, craft vendors will not be allowed to set up, and there will be no samples and open cooking.

The market will have produce and vegetable vendors, vendors with soaps/hand sanitizers and food trucks.

Also as part of our response to Covid-19, the market will supply hand sanitizer and hand wash stations inside the market area and require all vendors and customers to practice social distancing and wear masks.

Market officials are also excited to announce a web-based ordering system with curbside pickup to help deal with the Covid-19 issue.

Curbside pickup is only available on Fridays.

Customers will be able to view and order items from Sunday to Friday at 10 a.m. and the market volunteers will assemble the order with a Friday pickup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the market.

Customers will be able to search and select items by category or vendor.

The curbside pickup location will be marked by orange cones and signs on Park Place, across from the First Presbyterian Church.

“Advantages of this program are endless. People wanting to minimize their contact, and others can place their orders for a lunchtime pickup who work during the day and cannot regularly make it to the market,” said Lizzy Parson, market manager.

“This web-based program is made possible by a partnership with Gardenshare and a very generous contribution from Canton Community Fund. We thank you both for your support during this unprecedented time.”

Check the website daily and place orders at www.cantonnyfarmersmarket.com as inventory will start out small but will increase as fruits and vegetables grow and ripen!

“It is more important than ever to know where your food is sourced,” said Parson. “This is the perfect opportunity to support your neighbors and to make healthy choices for your family.”

For more information on guidance from the Farmer’s Market Federation of NY and NYS Ag and Markets visit: agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/04/interimguidancefarmersmarkets.pdf

For more information on becoming a vendor or volunteer at the market, call the market manager, Lizzy Parson at 315-323-0915 or email cantonnyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

To stay up to date, you can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CantonNYFarmersMarket .